Bronchial artery embolization with silk particles and gelfoam for massive hemoptysis

Objective:To evaluate the curative effect of embolization of bronchial artery in the treatment of massive hemoptysis.Methods：22 patients with acute massive hemoptysis were treated by means of transcatheter arterial embolization with silk and gelfoam particles,including bronchiectasis(n=12),tuberculosis(n=6),and lung cancer associated with hemoptysis(n=4).Results:Hemoptysis in 22 patients reduced apparently postembolization and stopped completely 3 days later.Among them,bleeding in one case recurred a week later postoperatively and was controlled after reembolization.There was no recurrence of hemoptysis in follow-up period of more than 4 months in all these 22 patients.Conclusion：Embolization of bronchial artery is a safe,less invasive and effective method for acute massive hemoptysis.